Date: Thu, 6 Feb 1997 09:19:05 +0100 (MET)
Subject: M-G: The American Labor Party Debate!


This is and interesting discussion going on the Labor Party list between 
Neil, Michael E. on the one hand and Paul Z and aucad-AT-. 

In the first discussion Michael who appears to be in the right wing 
pro-democratic party wing is attacking Neil for his correct position on the 
democratic party. The funny thing about Michael is that he is using the most 
incredible and classical Bernstein formulations in his defense. In fact I do 
not think that a future LP should be running around tailing the workers who 
(in lack of any real alternative) support the democratic party. The 
Democratic Party is not a trade union but a party of capitalism and the 
bosses. And people building and alternative to the Democratic Party must be 
for a clear demarkation from this party and in favor of a *real* independent 
party with a program that fights in the interests of poor and working class 
people. All else is just Bullshit!

Neil by the way is absolutely right about the Democratic Party here. His 
problem is that he has and ultra left position on the mass organisations of 
the working class (the trade unions) but on the Democratic Party he is 
absolutely correct.

I find it still quite unbelievable that the LP continues to moan over this 
rather simple question.

And then the other debate between Paul Z and aucad-AT-. which reflects the 
tactical course to the above discussion in "electoral" strategy. Where Paul 
Z wants to go forth with Independent lists and aucad appears to want to 
grovel in the wake of Democratic Party.

And the question of the (on going) do's and don'ts of Dellums I find 
partically despicable. What we need are black leaders that are prepared to 
fight for a *real* independent LP. Just as we need trade union leaders, 
women leaders etc.. And tailing Dellums is not the way to go. And just the 
fact that people here seem to be holding their breathe and waiting to see if 
Dellums farts or not will certainly not change anything. In fact it just 
says a lot about the character of some of the LPers on this list! Political 
cowards who playing in the sandbox of the "leftwing" of the Democratic Party.

Unless the LP can take a clear line of breaking with the democrats and go 
forth both in the trade unions and communities as a clear independent 
alternative to the twin parties of capitalism then it will never get off the 
ground. And until then any serious person should just turn their backs to 
this fake "independant" LP. Because it does not exist in reality. The only 
thing that exists today is and LP which supports the Democratic Party!

And all the Bernstien declarations in the world about how workers think and 
act will not help the LP. In fact the point is to go forth and present a 
clear alternative to poor and working class people. That is what the role of 
leadership and the LP should be. And all those who oppose this from the 
right are in fact closet democrats who want to play both ends of the stick. 

All those in the LP who think that tying oneself to the Democratic Party is 
the best way forward should just go and join the Democratic Party! And all 
those who want to create an independent LP should stick around and roll up 
their sleeves and get to work. This includes the various trade union 
leaderships supporting the LP. Tactics should not be determined by which 
trade union local says I support the LP and then uses all the money to 
support the Democratic Party. Instead we should try and get a mass base in 
the unions and put forth leaders who support the LP for its independence 
>from the Democrats and their program. By kissing ass with the left wing of 
the trade union bureaucracy will not change one thing!

Because if this discussion is not brought to a serious and open discussion 
and conclusions, program and tactics are drawn in the face of this 
fundemental question. There is no way forward out of the morass. And in fact 
every serious militant and activist should condemn the LP for being a morass 
which at best when push comes to shove is sucking up to the left wing of the 
Democratic Party!

Better to have this out now and get rid of the basic contradiction between 
to fundemental lines that can not be united in one party. Because if you 
don't there will never be and Independent Labor Party. But just a collection 
of fundemental opposing lines jockeying for position in something that will 
never help the poor and working class find a way forward.. 

Finally as a Trotskyist I would like to say that the LP if it wants any kind 
of critical support from the left who want to go much much father then most 
of the present left of the LP today then you had better get your act 
together. Your political capitulation time and again to the pro demo 
saboteurs of any kind of independant alternative makes the present situation 
in the present fake LP a joke. Because in fact the present LP in tactics, 
program and strategy is not INDEPENDENT at all but and appendage to the 
Democratic Party. And to say that it is anything else is just a pipedream. 
And anybody on this list who really wants to build a INDEPENDENT alternative 
should say exactly that both here and everywhere else. I as a trade union 
activists try to tell the truth to the workers as i see it. And in this case 
the LP at present is and appendage to the Democratic Party and deserve NO 
support what so ever! Better to vote for the Democratic Party! Then a fake 
Labor Party that is kissing the ass of the Democratic Party!

That would for me be the truth today. February 6th 1997.

And if you continue along this course should be condemned as a rotten block 
of fakers who will never do anything at all for poor and working class 
people. And deserve no support what so ever from any left organisation.

Break with the Democratic Party!

Until then,No support for these Fakers calling themselves "The Labor Party"!

Instead of an LP of Democratic Party Asskissers!

For a *real*Independent alternative to the Democratic Party!

Bob Malecki

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